Domaine Berrien Cellars Marsanne 2005

A "family affair," Domaine Berrien Cellars, established in 2001, is a Michigan winery on the move to prove some varieties, untried elsewhere in the state, can make a mark of distinction. On an 80-acre fruit farm in Berrien County (Lake Michigan Shore AVA), grower Tom Fricke has challenged the uncharted with such vinifera varieties as Marsanne on his 13 acres of vineyard that replaced part of his tart cherry orchards. Fricke's son-in-law, Wally Maurer, a former purchasing manager for a Chicago water utility company and one-time amateur winemaker gone pro, owns the winery with read more...his wife Katie, a construction company engineer. The Marsanne grape variety finds its origins in the Rhône River Valley of France. It's often found in Rhône white blends from California, yet solo and from the Lake Michigan Shore AVA, it makes a medium-bodied white wine with delicate honeysuckle aromas and an appealing dry finish. Perfect with crab cakes, shellfish, roast chicken or "that other white meat" pork. Check all remarks above when considering Domaine Berrien’s 2005 Marsanne, a gold medal winner at the 2006 Michigan Wine & Spirits Competition.    (hide)

A "family affair," Domaine Berrien Cellars, established in 2001, is a Michigan winery on the move to prove some varieties, untried elsewhere in the state, can make a mark of distinction.On an 80-acre fruit farm in Berrien County (Lake Michigan Shore AVA), grower Tom Fricke has challenged the uncharted with such vinifera varieties as Marsanne on his 13 acres of vineyard that replaced part of his tart cherry orchards. Fricke's son-in-law, Wally Maurer, a former purchasing manager for a Chicago water utility company and one-time amateur winemaker gone pro, owns the winery with read more...his wife Katie, a construction company engineer.The Marsanne grape variety finds its origins in the Rhône River Valley of France. It's often found in Rhône white blends from California, yet solo and from the Lake Michigan Shore AVA, it makes a medium-bodied white wine with delicate honeysuckle aromas and an appealing dry finish. Perfect with crab cakes, shellfish, roast chicken or "that other white meat" pork.Check all remarks above when considering Domaine Berrien’s 2005 Marsanne, a gold medal winner at the 2006 Michigan Wine & Spirits Competition.    (hide)

October 2008